List of Train Engineer Salaries by State

Train/Locomotive Engineer

Salaries by State

Have you ever pretended to be a train conductor when you were young? How about setting up trains on the ground and running them through your house? I know that many people have, and becoming a locomotive engineer has always been their dream job. Is it yours? Are you interested in knowing what it takes to become a train engineer and how much they make per year? Let’s find out together. Keep reading.

JOB DESCRIPTION

A train engineer, also called a locomotive engineer, runs and operates freight and passenger trains. Everyday the engineer will inspect the train and instruments before, during, and after running the train. If this isn't something that interests you any longer, you may want to view other professions as well. Some people interested in becoming a train engineer also would be interested in becoming a paramedic. But I digress.

The responsibilities of a train conductor include, but are not limited to:

1. Running a scheduled track

2. Checking instruments on train

3. Familiar with schedule, timing, and route

4. Work more than 40 hours per week

5. Monitors speed and breaks

BECOME A TRAIN ENGINEER

There are a few requirements in becoming a locomotive engineer.

1. Must be at least 21 years of age

2. Possess a high school diploma or GED

3. Obtain a federal license

Most of the training for this profession is on-job and requires classroom work, simulator testing, and hands-on experience. You’ll typically need to pass a conductor training course before being allowed in the locomotive engineering program. After the training program, you must pass the skills test and the written exam to see if you know how to properly run a locomotive. With much trepidation, you’ll need to pass a few smaller physical tests and then be able to receive your license as a locomotive engineer. SURPRISE….you’ll take another test, this time a surprise test to examine your skills in responding to dangerous situations.

TRAIN ENGINEER SALARY

If you’ve made it this far, then hopefully you are passionate about becoming a train engineer. The next step is finding out how much you’ll earn per year. The average locomotive engineer earns $53,590 annually. This isn’t bad to raise a family on, especially without a college degree. If you desire to make more than the average, then you’ll have to choose which state from below you’d like to reside in. All data is taken directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Alabama

Hourly: $23.00

Salary: $47,840

Arizona

Hourly: $32.73

Salary: $68,070

Arkansas

Hourly: $20.49

Salary: $42,610

California

Hourly: $33.34

Salary: $69,340

Colorado

Hourly: $33.19

Salary: $69,040

Florida

Hourly: $23.78

Salary: $49,460

Georgia

Hourly: $21.29

Salary: $44,280

Illinois

Hourly: $24.00

Salary: $49,930

Indiana

Hourly: $20.88

Salary: $43,420

Iowa

Hourly: $28.25

Salary: $58,750

Kansas

Hourly: $30.70

Salary: $63,860

Louisana

Unknown

Unknown

Maine

Hourly: $21.49

Salary: $44,700

Maryland

Hourly: $27.34

Salary: $56,860

Massachusetts

Hourly: $27.36

Salary: $56,910

Michigan

Hourly: $19.60

Salary: $40,780

Minnesota

Hourly: $25.17

Salary: $52,350

Mississippi

Hourly: $32.79

Salary: $68,210

Missouri

Hourly: $27.09

Salary: $56,340

Nebraska

Hourly: $29.21

Salary: $60,750

New Hampshire

Hourly: $19.73

Salary: $41,030

New Jersey

Unknown

Unknown

New Mexico

Hourly: $43.64

Salary: $90,780

New York

Hourly: $22.80

Salary: $47,420

North Carolina

Hourly: $18.02

Salary: $37,480

North Dakota

Hourly: $26.70

Salary: $55,540

Ohio

Hourly: $21.89

Salary: $45,530

Oklahoma

Hourly: $32.91

Salary: $68,450

Oregon

Hourly: $20.24

Salary: $42,100

Pennsylvania

Hourly: $22.74

Salary: $47,290

South Carolina

Hourly: $22.43

Salary: $46,660

Tennessee

Hourly: $22.44

Salary: $46,670

Texas

Hourly: $27.19

Salary: $56,560

Utah

Hourly: $22.69

Salary: $47,200

Virginia

Hourly: $24.71

Salary: $51,390

West Virginia

Unknown

Unknown

Wisconsin

Hourly: $32.79

Salary: $68,210

CONCLUSION

After looking at the different state salaries, are you still considering becoming a locomotive engineer? Does driving trains provide a sense of excitement for you? Could you be a kid again? If so, then go and make your future happen. Thanks for stopping by!